Zuma: ANC, IFP should unite

2009-07-04 14:32

Westville - The African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party should unite, ANC President Jacob Zuma on Saturday.

Addressing hundreds of ANC members attending a two-day provincial general council at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville Campus, Zuma said he would soon resume talks with IIFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

"I had a meeting with Prince Buthelezi just before the elections to talk about tolerance between members of our parties.

"I also mentioned the issue of uniting our parties and we agreed that we would talk about it after the elections."

Zuma said he would soon have enough time to pursue the matter because he was about to complete forming his government.

"I was unable to pursue the matter after the elections because I was busy forming government. I am about to finish and we will start again," said Zuma.

He said it was the ANC's duty to unite the people of South Africa.

Buthelezi was a member of the ANC until 1976 when he formed his party.

The move received the blessing of ANC leaders who hoped that it would continue with the struggle for liberation as the ANC was banned at that time.

However, relations between Buthelezi and ANC leaders became sour when the latter accused Buthelezi of having ties with the oppressive apartheid government.

- SAPA